But I've just come up with another idea, since it's going to be a nexus experience car (both nexus tablets), it'll need the nexus 4 to complete the set, maybe just to tether the wifi with, or set up handsfree mobile. I was going to buy myself one for christmas anyway, so I might as well intergrate it.

I don't want a fixed slot for it, so I figured having a small platform that'll rise out of the dash. I'm working out how to make it rise in my head, but that's only details. I was thinking of a screw that is spun by a motor, then it winds the platform up or down.

Also, I got the bare conductive paint working on the fuel filler cap, so I swipe my hand about 2 inches away from the surface, and it pops open. I'm quite proud of that. I'll make a video of it soon, but I can easily get that working for the platform too.

After reading those 11 pages, I was thinking, have you thought of asking for "sponsorship" from people that make parts and what not?

Maybe hit up mp3car and then you could rep them down under or something

Also, have you looked at the fusion brain and mimics?

I was thinking about getting all the mounts, rising levers and so forth done, painted & pretty, then sending google a message telling them my plans, asking if they want to donate a Nexus 4 & 10 (I've already got a 7, well two, but one cracked on me), it's not like they are short of money. I couldn't imagine MP3car would want to sponsor me, but if they want to I'm happy to accept.

I'd never heard of fusion brain or mimic, but I just had a quick google. I don't think fusion brain can do anything that arduino can't, and I've got my head around coding the arduino (and it's a quarter the price, with a stack of documentation online), and I'm sure there is an android app that'll do exactly the same as the mimic, well close anyway.

I'm not sure of the differences between arduino and fusion but the community here has done a lot with fusion.

As for the mimics solution, yeah, I hear you!

Are you aware that the nexus 7 doesn't have an SD card? I was gonna get one but that might be a deal breaker for me. I have a lenovo to scratch and practice with.

I went the PC route once but android got my attention and have debated going that way but in your case why not a PC?

I never really thought about a PC in the car, it seems unnecessary complex. Tablets are built for portability, have all the apps that the PC does, and if set up right, it'll have no load times when the car is turned on. GPS/maps/touchscreen is built in, and they are slim units, so they fit easier.

PC's are great when you want to do something complex, but in a car you want simple controls, simple interface, Android is ideal.

And I couldn't recommend the nexus tablets enough, I played with the samsung Galaxy tab 2 a few weeks ago, and the nexus beats it by a mile. It's smoother, and everything just works better (apart from dropping, the nexus 7 doesn't like to be dropped), and has a stack of sneaky little features (like the screen turning on and off with a magnet sensor on the cover, or music starting automatically when headphones are plugged in). 16gb isn't too small for me, they've also got a 32gb version out now too. I haven't come close to filling it up, you can also sync a folder on your PC to swap music and such around.

And I want it looking pretty before I try google, I still don't like my chances, but it'll improve if it looks pretty. I'm happy enough to buy it anyway, and the whole arduino setup will cost under $50, it's just the tablets that are pricey. Then I've got to buy more steel for the tray, rubbers for the windscreen, and a hundred more little things. And time, I want more time in the day.

In a way I agree with you about android but I'm just thinking that android/tablet might not be powerful enough to run a digital dash. (Just trying to bounce around ideas and thoughts more than anything)

I agree on going nexus vs another tablet and was a major reason why I'm thinking of getting one. The SD card issue can be worked around it seems.

Money and time!
Yep! Those always seem to be a factor when you start a hobby that turns into a passion of love, sweat and bloody fingers